Article #81 : A Foreign Girlfriend

How many of you went on a solo trip before? Did you feel like travelling solo multiple times after coming from each trip? Well, being an experienced soul on this earth, I prefer going solo every time and today I am going to share one of those stories wherein I encountered with a foreign girlfriend. 

It was August 2023, my first visit to the blue city of India, Jodhpur. In order to experience the local culture, I stayed at a homestay in one of the small lanes near ghantaghar or the famous clock tower. Being a history buff, I loved the design of the rooms, walls and even doors that resembled the ancient times. With a view of the mighty Mehrangarh Fort from the window of the room, I felt like living in a different era as if someone was welcoming me by saying, "Sawdhan, Marwar ka Rajkumar, Giridhar padhaar rahe hai".

But unfortunately, the feeling didn't last longer as suddenly I could hear someone knocking the door. As soon as I opened, I could see a beautiful foreign girl standing infront of me in her modern attire and makeup forcing me to time travel for some 500 years.

"Hi, My name is Ella. Will you come with me_____for dinner?"

"Yeah sure, but_____only for dinner"

We quickly became friends on that day and thought of going together for a small town Osian to see a mini desert on the next day.

The cab arrived at the place around 9 AM. Ella got into the cab and when I was about to open the front door of the cab, the driver started saying, 

"Sir, it's ok. I don't mind if both of you sit in the backseat. Even I came from the same age, experienced the same hormones, I can understand. Just be comfortable"

"Bhai, what are you talking?"

In between, Ella started saying,

"Giridhar, just get in here. We have to start"

As both of them suggested the backseat, I sat along with Ella and our journey started.

I asked the driver to stop at a point to have some coconut water. The coconut seller took a look at us and started smiling. I asked,

"Bhayya, can we get two coconuts?"

"Sir, do you really want two or you would like to have one with two straws?"

"No, both of us would like to have. I never drink with 2 straws, so one is enough"

"Oh, this is great. Both of you want to have one coconut with one straw. I haven't seen a romantic couple like this before"

I had no words to say. Ella gave a confused look as we were conversing in Hindi. She asked,

"Giridhar, what is he saying?"

"He is mad, he is totally mad. Let's have coconut water somewhere else"

Saying this, I asked the driver to move on.

At first, we stopped at a place called "Mandore Gardens" located in Mandore, a small town near Jodhpur on the way to Osian.

There was a small museum in the garden. As we were looking at the historical monuments, the security guard came to me and asked,

"Sir, may I know where is madam coming from?"

"Israel"

"Wow, did you go there for any job purpose?"

"No nothing like that"

"Did madam visit your city?"

"No, not at all"

"Then how did you meet her?"

"We just met in Jodhpur"

"Wah, Jodhpur ka Jodi number 1"

Meanwhile, Ella started asking, "Giridhar, What is the meaning of Jodi?"

"Nothing, just a nickname for Jodhpur. Let's move" 

I felt embarassed looking at the people everywhere and choose not to get more embarassed by explaining to Ella. 

We traveled for another 2 hours and reached Osian. Initially, we visited the Osian Sachiya Mata Temple. The Priest blessed us saying, "Phoolo Phalo"

Ella asked me, "Giridhar, what does that mean?"

"Nothing, Phool means flowers, Phal means fruits, he was simply referring to the fruits and flowers that we offered to the deity" 

While returning from the temple, a local lady, must be in her fourties stopped us and started saying,

"Arey Wah, you both look so good together. Beta, I am proud of you that you are showcasing our rich culture to your foreign girlfriend. Bhabhi, just look at them. I need a photo with both of you"

This time, Ella understood everything with the lady's gestures and started smiling. 

I was speechless again. The lady got her photo and we moved on. 

Finally, we reached the mini desert of Osian and were ready for the camel safari. The owner of the camel started saying,

"Sir, ideally we allow only one person on the camel. But after looking at both of you and considering our camel's potential to hold two people on it's back, we don't mind even if both of you would like to do the safari on the same camel"

"Who said that we both need one single camel?"

"Your Chemistry Sir"

Again Ella understood everything with his gestures and said with a smile,

"It's ok, if you don't want to"

I felt relieved for the moment. We enjoyed the camel safari and had dinner at the camel owner's house. Before we were about to leave, the owner said,

"If you want, you can stay in one of the huts that's designed specially for our guests. Ideally, we don't give it to unmarried couples. But after looking at both of you and we, trying to be modern, don't mind even if both of you would like to stay in a single hut tonight"

This time Ella not only understood everything, but also tried to reply,

"No, we have to reach Jodi tonight"

"Jodi? Yes, I know you are a good jodi"

I told him that she was saying we have to reach Jodhpur tonight and we left the place. 

When I thought of the whole day experience over that night, I felt little odd and embarassed. But after coming from the trip, when I recalled the complete experience, it was the only fun part. 

This is how Solo Trips enable you to experience a blend of emotions along with unlimited freedom to look around and also within ourselves. So, what are you waiting for? Just pack your bags and start your solo trips. Who knows, even you may encounter with a foreign girlfriend or boyfriend or atleast a friend like me? Give it a shot.